2026 Midyear Leadership Council and Members Meeting Recap

Published: Jan 26, 2026

TXCPA leaders gathered in College Station for two days of future-focused discussions, Society updates, and advocacy insights. Members explored trends shaping the profession and celebrated progress in leadership, technology, and licensure.

TXCPA members from across the state gathered in College Station on Jan. 22–23 for two days of connection and insights. The meeting kicked off with an energizing welcome and quickly transitioned into high‑impact discussions about the future of the profession and the work shaping TXCPA’s year ahead.  

 

Attendees participated in a Rise 2040 discussion with AICPA’s Lexi Weber, holding roundtable discussions about hard and soft trends in the profession and envisioning what a thriving 2040 profession could look like. They also identified opportunities to stay future‑ready as AICPA’s Barry Payne continued the momentum with “Future of Finance: Three Takeaways You Should Know Right Now,” sharing insights on evolving finance team capabilities and the shifting expectations for leaders.  

 

TXCPA Chair Billy Kelley and President and CEO Jodi Ann Ray celebrated significant progress in the midyear Society update: membership growth, major technology upgrades including 22 redesigned websites, a strengthened workforce pipeline, and critical advocacy wins such as the new pathway to licensure and national policy advancements.  

 

The Nominations and Elections Report introduced the 2026–27 slate of officers, directors, and AICPA Council nominees, underscoring the depth of leadership committed to advancing TXCPA’s mission statewide. TXCPA’s 2027-2028 Chair Dr. Tracie Miller, was introduced to the leadership. Dr. Miller shared her passion for a profession that “saves the world,” and her commitment to TXCPA in her acceptance comments. 

 

The program ended with a dynamic discussion from an Advocacy Panel featuring Marta Zanewski with Deloitte, Shelly Weir, President and CEO of the Florida Institute of CPAs, and TXCPA’s own Jodi Ann Ray and Kenneth Besserman. The panel unpacked the regulatory landscape, emerging threats, and opportunities for collective action, inspiring attendees to be engaged and informed about the evolving landscape. 

 

Thank you to all who attended the meeting and who give their time and talents to the work being done for the profession every day! 

 

We hope to see everyone at the Annual Meeting of Members in San Antonio on June 25-26! 

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